Farming systems research (FSR): A brief review and example

In the 1970s and 1980s many agricultural institutions in tropical countries commenced FSR programs. FSR-based cropping systems research is more common than livestock-orientated FSR, but there is a growing literature on methods directed to livestock. FSR places strong emphasis on participation by farmers at all stages of research. The rationale for FSR is discussed and some common features of the philosophy are drawn from a number of programs. A generalised procedure for FSR is presented, and an example of FSR amongst cattle rearers in Indonesia is provided. The FSR in Indonesia placed emphasis on moving as quickly as possible towards conducting trials on farms. Some lessons learned were that farm trials must be simple and that the most valuable results of trials with livestock are not obtained from statistical analyses, but arise from close farmer contact and farmer opinion and adaptation of the ideas to suit their special needs. The example further showed that internationally funded FSR projects can be an effective way of using limited funds to achieve multidisciplinary cooperation, and to bring benefits for farmers in priority regions. The introduction of FSR needs careful consideration in terms of structure and relationships to discipline-orientated research programs. Major requirements for successful FSR are sound training in FSR for scientists and administrators, strong leadership and an incentive system that recognises the importance of participatory activities of scientists with farmers.